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Civilian base worker arrested in Misawa slashing incident

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From Stripes.com

A U.S. civilian was arrested Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, after a Japanese woman was reportedly slashed in the face during an altercation at a lodging facility at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Screenshot from Air Force Inns

Civilian base worker arrested in Misawa slashing incident

by: Tyler Hlavac | .

Stars and Stripes | .

published: November 30, 2016

A U.S. civilian is in custody after allegedly slashing a Japanese woman’s face during an altercation at Misawa Air Base.

The unidentified civilian, an employee at the Army’s nearby Shariki Communication Site, is accused of assaulting the woman, who works at the Misawa Inn, and another Japanese base employee at the lodge at 1:47 a.m. Tuesday.

The victim was treated for minor injuries at the base’s urgent-care center before being taken to a Japanese hospital, Air Force officials said. The other employee was not injured.

“This is a regrettable incident, and our thoughts are with our two dedicated employees,” said Col. R. Scott Jobe, 35th Fighter Wing commander. “They are valued members of our Misawa family. The safety of our personnel is always a top priority.”

Japanese police said they plan to question the civilian, who remained in custody at the base Wednesday, on a voluntary basis.

The U.S. military retains jurisdiction in the case, said Tohoku Defense Bureau spokesman Hideo Chida, who urged Air Force officials to maintain discipline of their personnel and to take measures to prevent future incidents.